Sigrun.

34.  So happy I shall not sit at Sefafioll, neither at morn nor night, as to feel joy in life, if o’er the people plays not the prince’s beam of light; if his war-steed runs not under the chieftain hither, to the gold bit accustomed; if in the king I cannot rejoice.

35.  So had Helgi struck with fear all his foes and their kindred, as before the wolf the goats run frantic from the fell, of terror full.

36.  So himself Helgi among warriors bore, as the towering ash is among thorns, or as the fawn, moistened with dew, that more proudly stalks than all the other beasts, and its horns glisten against the sky.

A mound was raised for Helgi; but when he came to Valhall, Odin offered him the rule over all jointly with himself.  Helgi said: 

37.  Thou, Hunding! shalt for every man a foot-bath get, and fire kindle; shalt bind the dogs, to the horses look, to the swine give wash, ere to sleep thou goest.

A female slave passing at evening by Helgi’s mound, saw him riding towards it with many men: 

38.  Is it a delusion which methinks I see, or the powers’ dissolution, that ye, dead men, ride, and your horses with spurs urge on, or to warriors is a home journey granted?

Helgi.

39.  ’Tis no delusion which thou thinkst to see, nor of mankind the end, although thou seest us, although our horses we with spurs urge on, nor to warriors is a home-journey granted.

The slave went home and said to Sigrun: 

40.  Sigrun! go forth from Sefafioll, if the people’s chief thou desirest to meet.  The mound is opened, Helgi is come, his wounds still bleed; the prince prayed thee that thou wouldst still the trickling blood.

Sigrun entered the mound to Helgi and said: 

41.  Now am I as glad, at our meeting, as the voracious hawks of Odin, when they of slaughter know; of warm prey, or, dewy-feathered, see the peep of day.

43.  I will kiss my lifeless king, ere thou thy bloody corslet layest aside.  Thy hair is, Helgi! tumid with sweat of death; my prince is all bathed in slaughter-dew; cold, clammy are the hands of Hogni’s son.  How shall I, prince! for this make thee amends?

Helgi.

43.  Thou art alone the cause,[57] Sigrun of Sefafioll! that Helgi is with sorrow’s dew suffused.  Thou weepest, gold-adorned! cruel tears, sun-bright daughter of the south! ere to sleep thou goest; each one falls bloody on the prince’s breast, wet, cold, and piercing, with sorrow big.

44.  We shall surely drink delicious draughts, though we have lost life and lands.  No one shall a song of mourning sing, though on my breast he wounds behold.  Now are women in the mound enclosed, daughters of kings, with us the dead.

Sigrun prepares a bed in the mound.

35.  Here, Helgi! have I for thee a peaceful couch prepared, for the Ylfings’ son.  On thy breast I will, chieftain! repose, as in my hero’s lifetime I was wont.